When I first began thinking about it, I saw a contradiction between the Hindu concept of ahimsa, or non-violence, and martial arts, which are fighting arts. The question I struggled with was if the idea of non-violence could be reconciled with fighting techniques. At first, especially when I was thinking about techniques that had the potential to be lethal, I did not think this was possible; however, as I thought about it more, I realized that martial arts can actually be seen as furthering non-violence.
Once you know you have the ability to do significant harm to another, you are less likely to use that power unnecessarily. One of the most commonly repeated phrases in my martial arts classes is “the best self-defense is not being there in the first place.” The emphasis is on avoiding a fight whenever possible and realizing that you do not have to prove anything to anyone else. Thus, learning a martial art allows one to better avoid conflict by making one more hesitant to fight if there is another alternative.
In addition to the physical aspect of non-violence, ahimsa can also refer to non-violence in speech and thought. While thinking about the martial arts Codes of Bushido – benevolence, courage, honor, justice, loyalty, politeness, and veracity — I noticed that benevolence, honor, and politeness in particular played into this aspect of ahimsa. In honoring another person’s beliefs or achievements, one avoids speaking harshly of them. Similarly, in being polite to another, one avoids addressing them negatively. Finally, through benevolence, one not only avoids harsh words, but also harsh deeds, which is the aim of ahimsa. While they at first seem to be polar opposites, martial arts can be seen as a method of furthering one’s understanding of non-violence.
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I once heard something about martial arts being invented for the physical exercise of monks — does anyone know if that’s true?
That’s a really interesting observation, and I completely agree with the way you have reconciled the apparent contradiction.
To add to your explanation, it’s interesting to note that the avatars of Vishnu – Krishna, Rama to name a few, were actually the greatest warriors of their time. But like you said, they used their strength only to fight off evil, and sparingly even then.
I don’t know if anyone is looking at this anymore, but in response to Saketh’s question, martial arts were originally developed by Buddhist monks in China as a means of self-defense. It was the spread of Buddhism that originally brough martial arts to Japan, and karate as it is known today developed in Okinawa as a means of self-defense as the people there were not allowed weapons.
The origins of martial arts were for the purpose of physical health and mental acuity of the Hindu monks.
The ancient and electrifying martial art of Kalarippatya also knows as Kalari from Kerala in India is a living proof of this. Lord Shiva is said to be the original bestower of this and many other art forms to mankind.
Although, self defense is the focus of Kalari, neutralizing the conflict with enemy before it can start and Guru-Sishya parampara (as seen alive and in all its care and tenderness here) still form the basis of the philosophy.
When Buddhism was born and still alive in pre-Islamic India, Indian Buddhist monks used to travel and take knowledge of Buddhism and many other ancient knowledge and art forms from India to China.
One of these was Kalarippatya. Interestingly, most martial arts having origins in Kalarippatya begin with the sound ‘k’ like Karate, tai-Kwan-do etc. Also as Buddhism leaves China so does China’s prerogative to avoid conflicts. On the other hand China has become initiator of conflicts with Tibet, India and other neighbors in border disputes etc.
Find out the history of Kalarippatya from some Indian sources to know more about its origins and its relations with Buddhism, Guru-Sishya parampara and other martial art forms. Kalari uses weapons as well, one of which is a unique coiled sword that is literally electrifying. So afraid were the British of this martial art that they banned it altogether. Practiced underground since then, there is a current effort to revive it by its practitioners.
YouTube it for some fantastic fighting sequences.
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